I have an unsettled question in my mind. Is there any evidence for creation of life (whether occurring in the nature or synthesized at human laboratories, from the inanimate proper?

Allegedly they have managed to run a bacterial cell with synthetic DNA, though I am by no means sure if it can be considered as a pure example of artificial life! Also a friend of mine told me about "cyanobacteria" being created in the nature from the inanimate materials, but I could not find any evidences proofing it at all?

By the way we still, in spite of our remarkable scientific progresses, have the slightest idea about the essential element of life-something which is traditionally referred to as soul/spirit/consciousness-am I right?